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Due to the delay of H-1B visa interviews in India, individuals holding H-1B and H-4 visas in the US have reportedly received emails from the consulate that their temporary work visas were "carefully revoked." This situation arises as the US has announced intentions to increase monitoring of applicants' social media, which was previously directed at international students. A careful revocation of a visa is a temporary measure taken as a precaution and is not a permanent visa rejection. Immigration lawyer Emily Neumann notes that such revocations for H-1B and H-4 holders are increasing, even for applicants who have previously interacted with law enforcement without facing any charges. While a careful revocation does not change a person's legal status in the US, it indicates that the situation will be re-evaluated at the applicant's next visa interview.

"Many of these cases had already been revealed and resolved in previous visa approvals. A revocation does not impact legal residency in the United States, but it means the matter will be looked at again during the next visa appointment," the attorney stated in a message on X. "It's hard to understand how this is a smart use of government resources when the matter was already checked earlier," the attorney from Houston noted. Neumann also shared an older social media message from the US State Department stating that screening for visas is an ongoing process. This news comes shortly after the State Department revealed that it would start checking the social media accounts of H-1B applicants and their family members on dependent visas, widening the review of online profiles that initially started with student visa holders earlier this year.

"A careful visa revocation is a temporary, cautious cancellation of a visa by the Department of State (DOS). It is done "carefully," meaning out of caution or concern, especially when there are worries about the visa holder's eligibility, although this concern has not been fully established," reported Reddy Neumann Brown PC, an immigration law firm in Houston. Being present in the US during a careful visa revocation does not influence lawful residency; the person can stay until the visa naturally runs out. "The aim is to be cautious rather than regretful. By carefully revoking the visa, the government makes sure that the person cannot use that visa to enter the US again until the issue is sorted out," the firm also stated. In these scenarios, individuals can stay in the US, but if they leave, they cannot come back even if the visa has not expired, since the stamp is considered void.